Methods and Nodes in a Wireless Communication System

ABSTRACT

Embodiments herein include a network node and a mobile station in a wireless communication system. Embodiments also include a method in the mobile station and a method in the network node. With particular regard to the method in the network node, the method schedules wireless transmissions between the network node and the mobile station. The method comprises obtaining a multi-slot class of the mobile station and determining a downlink Temporary Block Flow configuration. Further, the method comprises assigning uplink timeslots to the mobile station and associating each assigned uplink timeslot with a priority value, based on the downlink Temporary Block Flow configuration and the multi-slot class of the mobile station.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/305,220 filed Feb. 17, 2010, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a network node, a method in a networknode, a mobile station and a method in a mobile station. Particularly,it relates to scheduling of wireless transmissions in a wirelesscommunication system.

BACKGROUND

Mobile stations, also known as mobile terminals, wireless terminalsand/or user equipments (UE) are enabled to communicate wirelessly in awireless communication system, sometimes also referred to as a cellularradio system. The communication may be made e.g. between two mobilestations, between a mobile station and a regular telephone and/orbetween a mobile station and a server via a Radio Access Network (RAN)and possibly one or more core networks.

The mobile stations may further be referred to as mobile telephones,cellular telephones, laptops with wireless capability. The mobilestations in the present context may be, for example, portable,pocket-storable, hand-held, computer-comprised, or vehicle-mountedmobile devices, enabled to communicate voice and/or data, via the radioaccess network, with another entity, such as another mobile station or aserver.

The wireless communication system covers a geographical area which isdivided into cell areas, with each cell area being served by a basestation, e.g. a Radio Base Station (RBS), which in some networks may bereferred to as “eNB”, “eNodeB”, “NodeB” or “B node”, depending on thetechnology and terminology used. The base stations may be of differentclasses such as e.g. macro eNodeB, home eNodeB or pico base station,based on transmission power and thereby also cell size. A cell is thegeographical area where radio coverage is provided by the base stationat a base station site. One base station, situated on the base stationsite, may serve one or several cells. The base stations communicate overthe air interface operating on radio frequencies with the mobilestations within range of the base stations.

In some radio access networks, several base stations may be connected,e.g. by landlines or microwave, to a Radio Network Controller (RNC) e.g.in Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). The RNC, alsosometimes termed a Base Station Controller (BSC) e.g. in GSM, maysupervise and coordinate various activities of the plural base stationsconnected thereto. GSM is an abbreviation for Global System for MobileCommunications (originally: Groupe Special Mobile).

In 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE),base stations, which may be referred to as eNodeBs or even eNBs, may beconnected to a gateway e.g. a radio access gateway. The radio networkcontrollers may be connected to one or more core networks.

UMTS is a third generation mobile communication system, which evolvedfrom the GSM, and is intended to provide improved mobile communicationservices based on Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) accesstechnology. UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) is essentiallya radio access network using wideband code division multiple access formobile stations. The 3GPP has undertaken to evolve further the UTRAN andGSM based radio access network technologies.

According to 3GPP/GERAN, a mobile station has a multi-slot class, whichdetermines the maximum transfer rate in the uplink and downlinkdirection. GERAN is an abbreviation for GSM EDGE Radio Access Network.EDGE is further an abbreviation for Enhanced Data rates for GSMEvolution.

In the present context, the expression downlink is used for thetransmission path from the base station to the mobile station. Theexpression uplink is used for the transmission path in the oppositedirection i.e. from the mobile station to the base station.

A maximum downlink and uplink rate may, for many multi-slot classes, notbe reached simultaneously due to the nature of the specified multi-slotclasses. The GERAN has to decide which direction to prioritize, uplinkor downlink, and give the maximum bandwidth to either uplink ordownlink, not to both at the same time.

The transmission of signals between a mobile station and a base stationmay be made on a carrier. A frame is subdivided into timeslots, whichmay be allocated for either uplink or downlink transmission.

An algorithm to determine the main direction of the data flow, i.e.uplink or downlink of a packet based session may be utilized. However inmany cases the algorithm cannot be fast enough to fully utilize thebandwidth according to the multi-slot capability of the mobile station.Many interactive packet switched services require uploads and downloadsof data, but not simultaneously. The services may be interactive in thesense that an upload is responded by a download and vice versa. Suchfast shift in bandwidth demands, from uplink to downlink and vice versa,is made possible with Enhanced Flexible Timeslot Assignment (EFTA),which was comprised in 3GPP/GERAN Release-9. EFTA makes a fullutilization of the bandwidth possible, and provide thereby a moreefficient packet switched service. Another feature that is made possiblewith EFTA is the support and use of more than 5 timeslots per carrierfor a mobile station and direction, downlink and uplink. Without EFTA,this is not possible in practice today, since support for “Type 2”mobile stations is considered very complex and expensive to implement inmobile stations.

In order to provide required data bandwidth, several carriers may beused in a process called carrier aggregation. A type 1 system and a type2 system are classified according to whether carrier aggregation isused. By using carrier aggregation, several carriers are aggregated onthe physical layer to provide the required bandwidth.

A shared component carrier is used for both a type 1 mobile station anda type 2 mobile station, whereas a dedicated component carrier is usedonly for the type 2 mobile station. Also, a type 2 base stationtransmits broadcast information by using a shared component carrier. Inthis instance, the broadcast information comprises the shared broadcastinformation used for both the type 1 mobile station and the type 2mobile station and the dedicated broadcast information only for the type2 mobile station. Additionally, the type 2 base station indicatescomponent carriers that are used by the type 2 mobile station, by usinga semi-static component carrier indicator or a dynamic component carrierindicator.

When more than 5 timeslots are supported and used e.g. within an EFTAsystem, uplink and downlink blocks have the risk of “colliding”, i.e.that timeslots are allocated both for uplink and downlink communicationat the same time. Since uplink is prioritized with EFTA, downlink blockswill in such case be lost and need to be re-transmitted. The probabilityof “collision” is higher or lower depending on chosen Temporary BlockFlow (TBF) configuration. It is up to the EFTA Channel Utilisationfunction to determine the TBF configuration with a number of inputs.

The problem with the existing solution is that since the uplink isprioritized and the uplink scheduling order is pre-defined, i.e. builtinto EFTA, some TBF configurations will perform considerably worse thanother configurations, in the sense that more collisions between uplinkand downlink will occur and thus more retransmissions in downlink haveto be made.

When using less than 8 timeslots downlink (per carrier), some uplinktimeslots will destroy more downlink timeslots than others. When using 8timeslots downlink (per carrier), some uplink timeslots will destroymore important downlink timeslots than others. Which uplink timeslotsthat destroys downlink timeslots depend on which timeslots are assignedto the downlink and uplink TBFs.

One method of finding the best possible TBF configuration for EFTA wouldbe to evaluate every possible alternative at every occasion when EFTATBF is to be assigned. This would however consume a lot of processingpower in the base station where the algorithm is implemented. It mayalso be more time consuming and lead to a general performancedegradation within the wireless communication system.

Another solution would be to prohibit the support and use of more than 5timeslots per carrier for a terminal and direction, downlink and uplink.However, since the uplink typically may not use all assigned timeslotsevery Transmission Time Interval (TTI), setting restrictions on timeslotreservations would severely affect performance, leading to lowutilization of available resources.

Also, the switching time, for switching between receiving andtransmitting in uplink/downlink respectively will affect the performanceof the method to find the best possible TBF configuration within thewireless communication system resulting in better or worse communicationdelay.

SUMMARY

It is an object to obviate at least some of the above disadvantages andprovide an improved performance within a wireless communication system.

According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by a method in anetwork node. The method aims at scheduling wireless transmissionsbetween the network node and a mobile station. The method comprisesobtaining a multi-slot class of the mobile station. Further the downlinkTemporary Block Flow configuration is determined. Then, based on thedownlink Temporary Block Flow configuration and the multi-slot class ofthe mobile station, each uplink timeslot is associated with a priorityvalue and assigned to the mobile station.

According to a second aspect, the object is achieved by a network nodefor scheduling wireless transmissions between the network node and amobile station. The network node comprises a processing circuit,configured to determine a downlink Temporary Block Flow configuration,to obtain a multi-slot class of the mobile station, and to assign uplinktimeslots to the mobile station and associating each assigned uplinktimeslot with a priority value, based on the downlink Temporary BlockFlow configuration and the multi-slot class of the mobile station.

According to a third aspect, the object is achieved by a method in amobile station. The method aims at scheduling order for timeslots inuplink transmission of data to a network node. The method comprisesreceiving an uplink assignment from the network node. Further, themethod also comprises selecting the order in which timeslots are to bescheduled for uplink transmission, based on an algorithm using thelowest numbered downlink timeslot the mobile station needs to monitor,and the switching time from transmission to reception of the mobilestation, as parameters. In addition, the method comprises transmittinguplink data in the selected timeslot order, to be received by thenetwork node. The uplink data is transmitted until there are either nomore assigned timeslots available, or no more data to transmit, suchthat the assigned timeslots that are redundant are not used for uplinktransmission.

According to a fourth aspect, the object is achieved by a mobilestation, configured to select scheduling order for timeslots in uplinktransmission of data to a network node. The mobile station comprises areceiver. The receiver is configured for receiving an uplink assignmentfrom the network node. Also, the mobile station in addition comprises aprocessing circuit. The processing circuit is configured for selectingthe order in which timeslots are to be scheduled for uplinktransmission, based on an algorithm using the lowest numbered downlinktimeslot the mobile station needs to monitor, and the switching timefrom transmission to reception of the mobile station, as parameters.Further, the mobile station also comprises a transmitter. Thetransmitter is configured to transmit uplink data in the selectedtimeslot order, to be received by the network node. The uplink data istransmitted until there are either no more assigned timeslots available,or no more data to transmit, such that the assigned timeslots that areredundant are not used for uplink transmission.

Embodiments of the present methods and nodes determine the uplinktimeslot configuration to be utilized, which simplifies selection of abetter, a somewhat improved, or even the optimal configuration. Sinceembodiments of the present methods have only two input values, it isfeasible to implement all combinations e.g. in pre-defined selectiontables, look-up tables. This makes it deterministic and fast to selectthe configuration. Thereby an improved performance within the wirelesscommunication system is provided.

Other objects, advantages and novel features will become apparent fromthe following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The solution is described in more detail with reference to attacheddrawings illustrating exemplary embodiments and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a wirelesscommunication system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a combined block diagram and flow chart illustrating anexemplary embodiment within a wireless communication system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a method in a networknode in a wireless communication system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a network node in awireless communication system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a method in a mobilenode in a wireless communication system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a mobile node in awireless communication system according to some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the performance ofdifferent uplink timeslot configurations according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments herein include a method in a network node, a network node, amethod in a mobile station and a mobile station in a wirelesscommunication system. These specific embodiments however should not beconsidered limiting; rather, the embodiments are provided merely asexamples so that this disclosure will be thorough.

For example, other features and advantages of the embodiments may becomeapparent from the following detailed description considered inconjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood thatthe drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not asa definition of the limits of the present invention. It is further to beunderstood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale andthat, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended toconceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

FIG. 1 depicts a wireless communication system 100, such as e.g. 3GPPLTE, LTE-Advanced, UTRAN, Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), UMTS, GSM/EDGE,GERAN, WCDMA, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), WorldwideInteroperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband(UMB), just to mention some few options.

The wireless communication system 100 may be configured to operateaccording to the Time Division Duplex (TDD) and/or the FrequencyDivision Duplex (FDD) principle, according to different embodiments.

TDD is an application of time-division multiplexing to separate uplinkand downlink signals in time, possibly with a guard period situated inthe time domain between the uplink and downlink signalling. FDD meansthat the transmitter and receiver operate at different carrierfrequencies.

The purpose of the illustration in FIG. 1 is to provide a generaloverview of the present methods and the functionalities involved. Thepresent methods and nodes will as a non-limiting example be described ina 3GPP/GERAN environment.

The wireless communication system 100 comprises a network node 110, anda mobile station 120, arranged to communicate with each other. Themobile station 120 is situated in a cell 130, defined by the networknode 110. The mobile station 120 is configured to transmit radio signalscomprising information data to be received by the network node 110.Contrariwise, the mobile station 120 is configured to receive radiosignals comprising information data transmitted by the network node 110.

It is to be noted that the illustrated setting of network nodes 110 andmobile stations 120 in FIG. 1 is to be regarded as a non-limitingexemplary embodiment only. The wireless communication network 100 maycomprise any other number and/or combination of network nodes 110 and ormobile stations 120.

The network node 110 may be referred to as e.g. base station, NodeB,evolved Node B (eNB, or eNode B), base transceiver station, Access PointBase Station, base station router, Radio Base Station (RBS), macro basestation, micro base station, pico base station, femto base station, HomeeNodeB, relay and/or repeater, sensor, beacon device or any othernetwork node configured for communication with the mobile station 120over a wireless interface, depending e.g. of the radio access technologyand terminology used. In the rest of the disclosure, the term “networknode” will be used for the network node 110, in order to facilitate thecomprehension of the present methods.

The mobile station 120 may be represented by e.g. a wirelesscommunication terminal, a mobile cellular phone, a Personal DigitalAssistant (PDA), a wireless platform, a user equipment unit (UE), aportable communication device, a laptop, a computer or any other kind ofdevice configured to communicate wirelessly with the network node 110.

The network node 110 controls the radio resource management within thecell 130, such as e.g. allocating radio resources to the mobile station120 within the cell 130 and ensuring reliable wireless communicationlinks between the network node 110 and the mobile station 120.

According to various embodiments herein, uplink timeslots are treatedwith different importance (or weight or priority) depending on thedownlink TBF's timeslot configuration and the multi-slot class of themobile stations 120.

Moreover, the specified uplink scheduling order is enhanced in order tofurther improve the timeslot utilization using EFTA. Thus all timeslotsare not considered as equally important when it comes to TBFconfiguration, based on the uplink scheduling order and a determineddownlink scheduler.

FIG. 2 is a combined block diagram and flow chart illustrating anembodiment within the wireless communication system 100. The method aimsat scheduling wireless transmissions between the network node 110 andthe mobile station 120.

The method may comprise a number of actions, in order to efficientlyperform the scheduling in the wireless communication system 100. Theactions may be performed in a somewhat different order than the hereinutilised order of appearance, which is merely exemplary according todifferent embodiments.

The network node 110 obtains the multi-slot class of the mobile station120, which is to be scheduled. The network node 110 may according tosome embodiments send a request, triggering the mobile station 120 toprovide the multi-slot class of the mobile station 120. The multi-slotclass of the mobile station 120 may be previously obtained and storede.g. in a memory, database or any other data storage unit.

Further, the downlink Temporary Block Flow configuration to be utilizedis determined by the network node 110.

The network node 110 may then assign uplink timeslots to the mobilestation 120 and associate each assigned uplink timeslot with a priorityvalue, based on the downlink Temporary Block Flow configuration and themulti-slot class of the mobile station 120.

The uplink assignment may then be sent to the mobile station 120. Themobile station 120 may, when receiving the uplink assignment, select thetimeslot number order. The timeslot number order to be used fortransmission may be selected based on an algorithm using the lowestnumbered downlink timeslot the mobile station 120 needs to monitor, andthe switching time from transmission to reception of the mobile station120 as parameters. The uplink data may then be transmitted in theselected timeslot number order.

The order in which timeslots are selected for uplink transmission maycomprise selecting the order of the timeslot numbers from a look-uptable, according to some embodiments.

The following assumptions render it possible to have a ChannelUtilization function with a method which according to some embodimentsmay improve the performance for the packet session:

1. a given downlink TBF's timeslot configuration2. a downlink scheduler working in a pre-defined way3. an uplink scheduler which transmits uplink blocks in a given timeslotorder.

Advantages according to some embodiments may comprise:

Firstly, since the downlink TBF is taken into consideration, the orderof timeslots may be chosen in an improved way.

Secondly, reservations with 6, 7 or 8 uplink timeslots may takeadvantage of having the uplink timeslots sent in a consecutive way.Thereby is the number of direction changes between uplink and downlinkminimized, or at least somewhat reduced, leading to an improved systemperformance.

Thirdly, when 4 or less timeslots are used, the uplink may be placed inconsideration to the downlink, as different uplink timeslots are givendifferent priority, depending on the downlink TBF's timeslotconfiguration and the multi-slot class of the mobile stations 120.

Fourthly, the applied switching time may be considered in the uplinkscheduling order, which render an improved system performance.

The channel utilization function may according to some embodiments use amethod which minimizes, or at least reduces the number of “collisions”between uplink and downlink blocks with the given downlink and uplinkschedulers. It thus has to be decided which timeslots the channelutilization function may assign to the uplink and downlink TBF in orderto minimize “collisions” for EFTA mobile station 120.

For example, a downlink TBF's timeslot configuration may comprise 8timeslots on timeslots 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 and the mobile station120 may be capable of managing 8 timeslots downlink and 4 timeslotsuplink simultaneously. The given downlink scheduler schedules timeslotsstarting from low Timeslot Numbers (TN0) up to high timeslot numbers(TN7). The uplink scheduler transmits uplink blocks starting from hightimeslot numbers (TN7) down to low timeslot numbers (TN0).

Also, when the timeslots are reserved there is also the question inwhich order to use them. All uplink timeslots may not be used in everyTTI and thus the order in which the timeslots are used may providecertain advantage. When the uplink and downlink is connected due tocollisions, the order which the timeslots are used may significantlyinfluence the performance on the downlink. For example, if only onetimeslot is to be sent on the uplink during a TTI for a 5 plus 4reservation (Ttx=Trx=1), either 0, 1, 2 or 3 downlink timeslots may bedestroyed due to collision.

Trx is here denoting the switching time from transmitting to receivingwhile Ttx is denoting the switching time from receiving to transmitting.

If the uplink timeslots that are used when a certain amount of data issent are chosen appropriately, the collision risk may be completelyeliminated, minimized or at least somewhat reduced. Embodiments of thepresent methods aim at prioritizing the uplink timeslots in order toimprove downlink performance.

Based on any, some or all of the following four inputs, a method mayimprove the performance for a packet session, according to someembodiments:

1. A given downlink TBF's timeslot configuration.2. A downlink scheduler working in a pre-defined way.3. An uplink scheduler which transmits uplink blocks in a given timeslotorder.4. The multi-slot class of mobile stations 120.

This may be further described as either a formula or a number oftwo-dimensional tables with an uplink timeslot configuration as output,and where bullet 2 and 3 above is consistently assumed.

One table may be used per multi-slot class according to someembodiments. This leaves two inputs: current downlink TBF's timeslotconfiguration and the multi-slot class of the mobile station 120.

Embodiments of the present methods may comprise a number ofconsiderations. It may be noted that some of the enumeratedconsiderations are comprised only within some embodiments. Further, theconsiderations may be performed in another order than the order ofappearance indicates according to some embodiments, such that someconsiderations may be performed simultaneously, or in a somewhatdifferent, modified or even reversed order.

Depending on how the uplink is used compared with the downlink, theefficiency of EFTA changes. By scheduling the uplink timeslots for theTBF in the disclosed order, the efficiency increases.

The efficiency of an uplink reservation may be dependent on how thetimeslots are positioned in relation to the downlink timeslots. Theorder in which the uplink timeslots are to be scheduled may be derivedas follows:

d=number of assigned downlink timeslots.u=number of assigned uplink timeslots.d>=u, i.e. the number of assigned downlink timeslots is bigger than orequal to the number of assigned uplink timeslots.x=timeslot number where downlink transmission starts.

Timeslot calculations may be performed modulo 8. Modulo 8 calculationmeans that enumeration is made up to 8 and then starts from 1 again atthe ninth enumeration. Consecutive timeslots are beneficial to use sinceit may reduce or minimize the number of direction changes. As aconsequence, consecutive downlink timeslots and/or consecutive uplinktimeslots are preferred.

TN0 or TN7 may be used for frequency change if frequency hopping isused. Direction may be changed during the same timeslots as frequency ischanged.

Consecutive timeslots may be determined without using modulo 8. Thestarting timeslot number in a TBF may be the one closest to TN(0), theending timeslot number may be the one closest to TN(7).

The minimum number of lost downlink blocks due to collisions of downlinktimeslots by uplink timeslots and may be written as:

There are eight timeslots to share for uplink, downlink, Trx and Ttx(frequency hop switching is supposed to be combined with Trx or Ttx).For EFTA the sum of the components may be larger than 8, and the loss istaken by the downlink. This loss is referred to as the downlink loss(dl_loss).

8+dl_loss≧d+u+Trx+Ttx, dl_loss≧0, u>0, d>0<=>dl_loss=max(0,d+u+Trx+Ttx−8), u>0, d>0

Furthermore,

u=1: uplink timeslot number (x+4−Trx)=>smallest possible dl_loss.

Trx=1:

no dl_loss for d≦5

1 dl_loss for d=6

2 dl_losses for d=7

3 dl_losses for d=8

Trx=0

no dl_loss for d≦6

1 dl_loss for d=7

2 dl_losses for d=8

Each additional uplink timeslots on a timeslot number lower thantimeslot number (x+4−Trx) increases the dl_loss by a maximum of 1timeslot.

Uplink timeslot number (x+5−Trx) may destroy downlink timeslot number(x+8)=TN(x).

As a consequence, start selecting timeslot number (x+4−Trx) and thendecrease timeslot number until no lower timeslot number is available,then select timeslot number (x+5−Trx) and then increase timeslot numberup to the highest available timeslot number.

The conclusion is:

uplink timeslots may be used in the following order:

[x+4−Trx down to 0, x+5−Trx up to 7].

The resulting algorithm for selecting timeslots for EFTA assignments maythen comprise:

A. Select as many downlink timeslots as possible according to mobilestation multi-slot class parameter Rx and availability while preferringconsecutive timeslots.B. Select as many uplink timeslots as possible according to mobilestation multi-slot class parameter Tx and availability in descendingtimeslot number order starting from timeslot number ((lowest TNdownlink)+4−Trx) while preferring consecutive timeslots.C. Continue select as many uplink timeslots as possible according tomobile station multi-slot class parameter Tx and availability inascending timeslot numbers order starting from timeslot number ((lowestTN downlink)+5−Trx) while preferring consecutive timeslots.

Dynamic Allocation Uplink RLC Data Block Transfer

This sub-clause specifies mobile station behaviour for dynamicallocation uplink Radio Link Control (RLC) data block transfer while inpacket transfer mode, Medium Access Control (MAC)-Shared State, or DualTransfer Mode (MAC-DTM) state.

When the mobile station 120 receives an uplink assignment such as e.g.PACKET UPLINK ASSIGNMENT, MULTIPLE TBF UPLINK ASSIGNMENT, PACKETTIMESLOT RECONFIGURE, MULTIPLE TBF TIMESLOT RECONFIGURE or PACKET CSRELEASE INDICATION message, that does not contain a TBF starting time,if the uplink TBF is assigned in Basic Transmission Time Interval (BTTI)configuration the mobile station 120 may begin monitoring the downlinkPacket Data CHannel (PDCHs) corresponding to, i.e. with the sametimeslot number as, the assigned uplink PDCHs for the assigned UplinkState Flag (USF) value for each assigned uplink PDCH within the reactiontime. Alternatively, if the uplink TBF is assigned in ReducedTransmission Time Interval (RTTI) configuration, the mobile station 120may begin monitoring the downlink PDCH-pairs corresponding to theassigned uplink PDCH-pairs for the assigned USF value within thereaction time. If a TBF starting time information element is present andno uplink TBFs are in progress, but one or more downlink TBFs are inprogress, the mobile station 120 may wait until the starting time beforebeginning to monitor the USFs and using the newly assigned uplink TBFparameters. While waiting for the starting time, the mobile station 120may monitor the assigned downlink PDCHs. If a TBF starting timeinformation element is present and one or more uplink TBFs are alreadyin progress, the mobile station 120 may continue to use the assignedparameters of the ongoing uplink TBFs until the TDMA frame numberindicated by the TBF starting time occurs, at which time the mobilestation 120 may begin to use the newly assigned uplink TBF parameters.The mobile station 120 may continue to use the newly assigned parametersof each uplink TBF until the TBF is either released or reconfigured. Ifwhile waiting for the frame number indicated by the TBF starting timethe mobile station 120 receives another uplink assignment, the mobilestation 120 may act upon the most recently received uplink assignmentand may ignore the previous uplink assignment.

If a mobile station 120 has requested multiple uplink TBFs in a PACKETRESOURCE REQUEST message, the network node 110 may allocate resourcesfor these TBFs by sending one or more uplink assignment messages inresponse. The mobile station 120 may act upon each successive uplinkassignment message as it is received.

A mobile station 120 that has a TBF operating in BTTI configuration maymonitor all the downlink PDCHs corresponding to the assigned uplinkPDCHs. When operating a TBF in RTTI configuration, the mobile station120 may monitor the corresponding downlink PDCH-pairs associated withthe assigned uplink PDCH-pairs that may be monitored according to thenumber of allocated uplink PDCH-pairs and its multi-slot capabilities.

Whenever the mobile station 120 detects an assigned USF value on amonitored downlink PDCH or PDCH-pair, the mobile station 120 maytransmit either a single Radio Link Control/Medium Access Control(RLC/MAC) block or a sequence of four RLC/MAC blocks on the same PDCH orcorresponding PDCH-pair for that TBF except if that TBF is running inextended uplink TBF mode, in which case the mobile station 120 maytransmit RLC/MAC block(s) for other TBFs assigned on the same PDCH orcorresponding PDCH-pair. The time relation between an uplink block,which the mobile station 120 may use for transmission, and theoccurrence of the USF value may be predefined. The number of RLC/MACblocks to transmit may be controlled by the USF_GRANULARITY parametercharacterising the uplink TBF.

If a mobile station 120 with an uplink TBF for which EFTA is used alsohas one or more concurrent downlink TBF(s), but does not have enoughRLC/MAC blocks ready for transmission to fully utilize the total numberof allocated resources for uplink radio block transmission during thecorresponding radio block period(s), then it may begin monitoring itsassigned downlink PDCHs or PDCH-pairs after transmitting its lastavailable RLC/MAC block taking into account the switching requirementsof its multi-slot class. In such case, transmissions may be performed onthe uplink PDCHs allocated by the USF in the order as specified herein.

An uplink TBF operating in RTTI configuration may receive the assignedUSFs either in RTTI USF mode or BTTI USF mode. The USF mode may beindicated during the assignment of the corresponding uplink TBF.

For an uplink TBF in RTTI configuration that receives the USFs in BTTIUSF mode:

An assigned USF received on the first PDCH of a monitored downlinkPDCH-pair may allocate resources for one or four uplink RTTI radioblocks in the first two TDMA frames of the following basic radio blockperiod(s) on the corresponding uplink PDCH-pair, depending on the valueof USF_GRANULARITY.

An assigned USF received on the second PDCH of a monitored downlinkPDCH-pair may allocate resources for one or four uplink RTTI radioblocks in the second two TDMA frames of the following basic radio blockperiod(s) on the corresponding uplink PDCH-pair, depending on the valueof USF_GRANULARITY.

For an uplink TBF in RTTI configuration that receives the USFs in RTTIUSF mode:

An assigned USF received on a monitored downlink PDCH-pair in the firstreduced radio block period of a given basic radio block period mayallocate resources for one or four uplink RTTI radio blocks in thesecond reduced radio block period starting in the same basic radio blockperiod and continuing with the second reduced radio block period in thefollowing basic radio block periods on the corresponding uplinkPDCH-pair, depending on the value of USF_GRANULARITY.

An assigned USF received on a monitored downlink PDCH-pair in the secondreduced radio block period of a given basic radio block period mayallocate resources for one or four uplink RTTI radio blocks in the firstreduced radio block period starting in the next basic radio block periodand continuing with the first reduced radio block period in thefollowing basic radio block periods on the corresponding uplinkPDCH-pair, depending on the value of USF_GRANULARITY.

In a Downlink Dual Carrier configuration, one or more PDCHs may beassigned to a single mobile station 120 on each of two different radiofrequency channels. A mobile station 120 with a Downlink Dual Carrierconfiguration may not be allocated radio blocks on both radio frequencychannels during any given radio block period.

When the mobile station 120 transmits an RLC/MAC block to the networknode 110, it may start a timer, such as e.g. timer T3180 for the uplinkTBF on which the block was sent. When the mobile station 120 detects anassigned USF value on a downlink PDCH corresponding to an assigneduplink PDCH for that TBF, the mobile station 120 may restart the timer,such as e.g. the timer T3180. If any given timer, such as e.g. timerT3180 expires, the mobile station 120 may perform an abnormal releasewith access retry.

Whenever the network node 110 receives a valid RLC/MAC block for anygiven TBF, it may reset a counter, such as e.g. counter N3101 for thatTBF. The network node 110 may increment the counter, such as e.g. thecounter N3101 for each radio block, allocated to that TBF, for which nodata is received. If N3101=N3101max, a threshold value, the network node110 may stop the scheduling of RLC/MAC blocks for that TBF and start asecond timer, such as e.g. timer T3169. When the second timer, such ase.g. timer T3169 expires, the network node 110 may reuse the USF and TFIassigned to that TBF. If Packet Switched (PS) handover is ongoing, itmay not be compulsory for the network node 110 to increment the counter,such as e.g. the counter N3101, according to some embodiments.

Uplink PDCH Allocation

The PACKET UPLINK ASSIGNMENT and MULTIPLE TBF UPLINK ASSIGNMENT messagesassign to the mobile station 120 a subset of 1 to N uplink PDCHs (whenthe uplink TBF operates in BTTI configuration) or uplink PDCH-pairs(when the uplink TBF operates in RTTI configuration), where N depends,or is based, on the mobile station multi-slot class.

An uplink TBF that operates in RTTI configuration may receive theassigned USFs either in BTTI USF mode or in RTTI USF mode. Theindication of whether BTTI USF mode or RTTI USF mode is to be used isprovided during the assignment of the corresponding uplink TBF.

If a mobile station 120 supports Downlink Dual Carrier, the PACKETUPLINK ASSIGNMENT or MULTIPLE TBF UPLINK ASSIGNMENT message may assignPDCHs (corresponding to any given uplink TBF) on more than one carrierfrequency. If this occurs, the Extended Dynamic Allocation proceduresmay operate independently on each of the two carriers.

The mobile station 120 when it has an uplink TBF operating in BTTIconfiguration may monitor the downlink PDCHs corresponding to (i.e. withthe same timeslot number as) its assigned uplink PDCHs starting with thelowest numbered PDCH, then the next lowest numbered PDCH, etc. up to theone corresponding to the highest numbered assigned uplink PDCH. Themobile station 120 when it has an uplink TBF operating in RTTIconfiguration may monitor the downlink PDCH-pairs starting with the onecorresponding to the uplink PDCH-pair with the lowest numberedtimeslots, then the next uplink PDCH-pair etc. up to the downlinkPDCH-pair corresponding to the uplink PDCH-pair with the highestnumbered timeslots assigned to the mobile station 120. When in dualtransfer mode, the network node 110 may not assign uplink PDCHs whosecorresponding downlink PDCH cannot be monitored by the mobile station120 because of the presence of the uplink dedicated channel. As anexception, in the case of dual transfer mode, if the mobile station 120indicates support of DTM high multi-slot class capability, the networknode 110 may also assign uplink PDCHs whose corresponding downlink PDCHcannot be monitored by the mobile station 120. In this case, the mobilestation 120 may monitor only those downlink PDCHs that are feasible whentaking into account the position of the uplink dedicated channel and theswitching requirements of its multi-slot class.

Whenever a mobile station 120 with an uplink TBF operating in BTTIconfiguration detects an assigned USF value on a monitored PDCH, themobile station 120 may transmit either a single RLC/MAC block or asequence of four RLC/MAC blocks on the corresponding uplink PDCH (i.e.with the same timeslot number as the downlink PDCH on which the USF wasdetected) and all higher numbered assigned uplink PDCHs. If a mobilestation 120 with an uplink TBF operating in BTTI configuration for whichEFTA is used also has one or more concurrent downlink TBF(s), but doesnot have enough RLC/MAC blocks ready for transmission to fully utilizethe total number of allocated resources for uplink radio blocktransmission during the corresponding radio block period(s), then it maybegin monitoring its assigned downlink PDCHs after transmitting its lastavailable RLC/MAC block taking into account the switching requirementsof its multi-slot class. In such case, transmissions may be performed onthe uplink PDCHs allocated by the USF in the order as specified herein.The following applies for an uplink TBF in RTTI configuration thatreceives USFs in BTTI USF mode:

An assigned USF received on the first PDCH of a monitored downlinkPDCH-pair may allocate resources for one or four uplink RTTI radioblocks in the first two TDMA frames of the following basic radio blockperiod(s) on the corresponding uplink PDCH-pair and all assigned uplinkPDCH-pairs with higher numbered timeslots.

An assigned USF received on the second PDCH of a monitored downlinkPDCH-pair may allocate resources for one or four uplink RTTI radioblocks in the second two TDMA frames of the following basic radio blockperiod(s) on the corresponding uplink PDCH-pair and all assigned uplinkPDCH-pairs with higher numbered timeslots.

The following may apply for an uplink TBF in RTTI configuration thatreceives USFs in RTTI USF mode:

An assigned USF received in the first reduced radio block period of agiven basic radio block period on a monitored downlink PDCH-pairallocates resources for one or four uplink RTTI radio blocks in thesecond reduced radio block period starting in the same basic radio blockperiod and continuing with the second reduced radio block period in thefollowing basic radio block periods, depending on the USF granularity,on the corresponding uplink PDCH-pair and all assigned uplink PDCH-pairswith higher numbered timeslots.

An assigned USF received in the second reduced radio block period of agiven basic radio block period on a monitored downlink PDCH-pair mayallocate resources for one or four uplink RTTI radio blocks in the firstreduced radio block period starting in the next basic radio block periodand continuing with the first reduced radio block period in thefollowing basic radio block periods, depending on the USF granularity,on the corresponding uplink PDCH-pair and all assigned uplink PDCH-pairswith higher numbered timeslots.

If an uplink TBF in RTTI configuration for which EFTA is used, where themobile station 120 also has one or more concurrent downlink TBF(s),receives USFs in either BTTI or RTTI USF mode, but the mobile station120 does not have enough RLC/MAC blocks ready for transmission to fullyutilize the total number of allocated resources for uplink radio blocktransmission during the corresponding radio block period(s), then it maybegin monitoring its assigned downlink PDCH-pairs after transmitting itslast available RLC/MAC block taking into account the switching timerequirements of its multi-slot class. In such case, transmissions may beperformed on the uplink PDCH-pairs allocated by the USF in the order asspecified herein.

The number of RLC/MAC blocks to transmit on each allocated uplinkPDCH/PDCH-pair may be controlled by the USF_GRANULARITY parametercharacterising the uplink TBF. The mobile station 120 may, in eitherBTTI or RTTI configuration, ignore the USF on those higher numberedPDCHs or PDCH-pairs with higher numbered timeslots during the blockperiod where the assigned USF value is detected according to someembodiments. In addition, if USF_GRANULARITY is set to four blocksallocation, it may ignore the USF on all other PDCHs/PDCH-pairs duringthe first three block periods in which the mobile station 120 has beengranted permission to transmit. The USF corresponding to the last threeblocks of a four blocks allocation may be set to an unused value foreach PDCH/PDCH-pair on which the mobile station has been grantedpermission to transmit, according to some embodiments.

The mobile station 120 may, during a basic or reduced radio block periodin which it has been granted permission to transmit, monitor theassigned USF on the downlink PDCHs/PDCH-pairs corresponding to itsassigned uplink PDCHs/PDCH-pairs starting with the lowest numbered PDCHor PDCH-pair with the lowest numbered timeslots up to the highestnumbered PDCH or PDCH-pair with the highest numbered timeslots which themobile station 120 is able to monitor, taking into account thePDCHs/PDCH-pairs allocated for transmission in the basic or reducedradio block period and the switching requirements of the mobile stationmulti-slot class.

If the network node 110 wishes to reduce the number of PDCHs/PDCH-pairsallocated to a mobile station 120 per basic/reduced radio block period,the network node 110 may do so according to some embodiments, providedthat this is compatible with the mobile station's ability to monitor theassigned USF in the downlink PDCH/PDCH-pairs corresponding to the lowestnumbered uplink PDCH or PDCH-pair with the lowest numbered timeslots inthe new allocation. Otherwise, the network node 110 may not allocate anyresources to that mobile station 120 for one basic/reduced radio blockperiod following the basic/reduced radio block period with the highernumber of PDCHs/PDCH-pairs allocated.

During the downlink block period where an uplink basic/reduced TTI radioblock is allocated on a PDCH/PDCH-pair via the polling mechanism, themobile station 120 may monitor the assigned USF on the downlinkPDCHs/PDCH-pairs corresponding to its assigned uplink PDCHs/PDCH-pairsstarting with the lowest numbered PDCH or PDCH-pair with the lowestnumbered timeslots up to the highest numbered PDCH or PDCH-pair with thehighest numbered timeslots which is feasible when taking into accountthe PDCHs/PDCH-pairs allocated for transmission in the basic/reducedradio block period and the switching requirements of the mobile stationmulti-slot class.

For an uplink TBF in BTTI configuration, transmissions may according tosome embodiments be performed on the uplink PDCHs allocated by the USFin the timeslot number order TN=(d+4−Trx, d+3−Trx, . . . , 0, d+5−Trx,d+6−Trx, . . . , 7), which is illustrated in Table 1 below. Here, d isused to denote the lowest numbered downlink timeslot the mobile station120 needs to monitor, whereas Trx is the switching time fromtransmission to reception.

TABLE 1 Lowest Downlink Timeslot The MS T_(rx =) (T_(ra) or T_(rb)whichever is applicable) Needs to Monitor 0 1 2 3 4 0 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 5,6, 7 3, 2, 1, 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 2, 1, 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 1, 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 1 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 6, 7 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 5, 6, 73, 2, 1, 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 2, 1, 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 1, 0, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 26, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 7 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 6, 7 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 5, 6, 7 3,2, 1, 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 2, 1, 0, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 3 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 6,5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 7 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 6, 7 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 5, 6, 7 3, 2,1, 0, 4, 5, 6, 7 4 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 6, 5,4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 7 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 6, 7 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 5, 6, 7 5 7, 6,5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 6, 5, 4,3, 2, 1, 0, 7 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, 6, 7 6 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5,4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 6, 5, 4, 3,2, 1, 0, 7 7 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4,3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0

For an uplink TBF in RTTI configuration, the reference to the timeslotnumber TN above may in this case rather be interpreted as the lowestnumbered timeslot of the PDCH-pair.

“Tra” mentioned in Table 1 relates to the time utilized for the mobilestation 120 to perform adjacent cell signal level measurement and getready to receive.

For a type 1 mobile station 120 it may be the minimum number oftimeslots that will be allowed between the previous transmit or receivetimeslot and the next receive timeslot when measurement is to beperformed between.

For a type 2 mobile station 120 it may be the minimum number oftimeslots that will be allowed between the end of the last receive burstin a frame and the first receive burst in the next frame.

“Trb” relates to the time utilized for the mobile station 120 to getready to receive. This minimum requirement may be utilized when adjacentcell power measurements are not required by the service selected.

For type 1 mobile station 120 it may be the minimum number of timeslotsthat will be allowed between the previous transmit timeslot and the nextreceive timeslot or between the previous receive timeslot and the nextreceive timeslot when the frequency is changed in between.

For type 2 mobile station 120 it may be the minimum number of timeslotsthat will be allowed between the end of the last receive burst in aframe and the first receive burst in the next frame.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of thepresent method in a network node 110, regarded in perspective of thenetwork node 110. The network node 110 may be represented by a basestation or the like. The method aims at scheduling wirelesstransmissions between the network node 110 and a mobile station 120. Thenetwork node 110 and the mobile station 120 are comprised in a wirelesscommunication system 100, wherein the network node 110 may act asserving base station for the mobile station 120.

The method may comprise a number of actions 301-304, in order toefficiently schedule wireless transmissions within the wirelesscommunication system 100. The actions may be performed in a somewhatdifferent chronological order than the enumeration indicates, accordingto different embodiments. Further, it is to be noted that some of theactions, indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3, are comprised within somealternative embodiments. Any, some or all actions, such as e.g. 302 and303 may be performed simultaneously or in a rearranged chronologicalorder. The method may comprise the following actions:

Action 301

A multi-slot class of the mobile station 120 is obtained.

Action 302

A downlink Temporary Block Flow configuration is determined.

Action 303

This action may be performed within some alternative embodiments.

As many downlink timeslots as possible may be assigned, based on theobtained multi-slot class of the mobile station 120, according to someembodiments.

The assignment of downlink timeslots may according to some embodimentsbe made with consecutive downlink timeslots.

An advantage with assigning downlink timeslots consecutively is that thenumber of switches between uplink and downlink is reduced. As eachswitch between uplink and downlink take some time to accomplish, time issaved, which leads to a higher system throughput, better utilization ofavailable resources and improved performance within the wirelesscommunication system 100.

Action 304

Uplink timeslots are assigned to the mobile station 120. Each assigneduplink timeslot is associated with a priority value, based on thedownlink Temporary Block Flow configuration and the multi-slot class ofthe mobile station 120.

An advantage when assigning uplink timeslots to the mobile station 120based on the downlink Temporary Block Flow configuration and themulti-slot class of the mobile station 120, is that the probability ofhaving colliding downlink and uplink timeslots reduced, or eveneliminated.

The assignment of uplink timeslots to the mobile station 120 may be madewith consecutive uplink timeslots according to some embodiments.

An advantage with assigning uplink timeslots consecutively is that thenumber of switches between uplink and downlink is reduced. As eachswitch between uplink and downlink take some time to accomplish, time issaved, which leads to a higher system throughput, better utilization ofavailable resources and improved performance within the wirelesscommunication system 100.

As many uplink timeslots as possible may according to some embodimentsbe selected, based on the obtained multi-slot class of the mobilestation 120, in a priority order in descending timeslot number orderdown to timeslot 0, starting from the timeslot number computed by thefollowing algorithm: the lowest timeslot number assigned to downlinktransmission plus 4 minus the number of timeslots it takes to switchfrom transmission to reception, maximum 7 timeslots.

The following sub-actions may be performed according to someembodiments:

determine the lowest timeslot number assigned to downlink transmission,

add four to the determined timeslot number,

establish the number of timeslots it takes to switch from transmissionto reception,

subtract the established number of timeslots from the previouslycalculated sum,

fix a first uplink timeslot to be assigned to the mobile station 120 bycomputing the final sum of the above parameter values,

select the next descending timeslot number for the next uplink timeslotto be assigned to the mobile station 120, down to timeslot 0.

According to some embodiments, as many uplink timeslots as possible maybe selected, based on the obtained multi-slot class of the mobilestation 120, in a priority order in ascending timeslot number order upto timeslot 7, starting from the timeslot number computed by thefollowing algorithm: the lowest timeslot number assigned to downlinktransmission plus 5 minus the number of timeslots it takes to switchfrom transmission to reception, maximum 7 timeslots.

According to those embodiments, the following sub-actions may beperformed:

determine the lowest timeslot number assigned to downlink transmission,

add five to the determined timeslot number,

establish the number of timeslots it takes to switch from transmissionto reception,

subtract the established number of timeslots from the previouslycalculated sum,

fix a first uplink timeslot to be assigned to the mobile station 120 bycomputing the final sum of the above parameter values,

select the next ascending timeslot number for the next uplink timeslotto be assigned to the mobile station 120, up to timeslot 7.

As many uplink timeslots as possible may be selected from a table, suchas exemplified in e.g. Table 1, which table in turn may have beenconstructed based on any or both of the above disclosed algorithmsaccording to some embodiments.

The table may be stored in a memory device such as a memory, database orany other convenient means for storing data.

Since the algorithms according to the present methods have two inputs,it may be feasible to implement all combinations e.g. in pre-definedselection tables, or look-up tables as they also may be referred to.This makes it deterministic and fast to select an appropriateconfiguration, or even the optimal configuration.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a network node 110. The networknode 110 may be represented by a base station or the like, according tosome embodiments. The network node 110 is configured to perform any someor all of the actions 301-304 for scheduling wireless transmissionsbetween the network node 110 and a mobile station 120.

For the sake of clarity, any internal electronics or other components ofthe network node 110, not completely indispensable for understanding thepresent method has been omitted from FIG. 4.

In order to perform the actions 301-304 correctly, the network node 110comprises a processing circuit 420. The processing circuit 420 isconfigured to determine a downlink Temporary Block Flow configuration.Further, the processing circuit 420 is configured to obtain a multi-slotclass of the mobile station 120. Additionally, the processing circuit420 is further configured to assign uplink timeslots to the mobilestation 120 and associating each assigned uplink timeslot with apriority value, based on the downlink Temporary Block Flow configurationand the multi-slot class of the mobile station 120.

The processing circuit 420 may comprise e.g. one or more instances of aCentral Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processor, amicroprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and executeinstructions. The processing circuit 420 may further perform dataprocessing functions for inputting, outputting, and processing of datacomprising data buffering and device control functions, such as callprocessing control, user interface control, or the like.

Further, according to some embodiments, the network node 110 maycomprise a receiver 410, configured to receive signals from the mobilestation 120.

In addition, according to some embodiments, the network node 110comprises a transmitter 430. The transmitter 430 may be arranged totransmit signals to the mobile station 120, such as e.g. transmit anuplink assignment to the mobile station 120, according to someembodiments.

Further, it is to be noted that some of the described units 410-430comprised within the network node 110 in the wireless communicationsystem 100 are to be regarded as separate logical entities but not withnecessity separate physical entities. To mention just one example, thereceiver 410 and the transmitter 430 may be comprised or co-arrangedwithin the same physical unit, a transceiver, which may comprise atransmitter circuit and a receiver circuit, which transmits outgoingradio frequency signals and receives incoming radio frequency signals,respectively, via an antenna. The radio frequency signals transmittedbetween the network node 110, and the mobile station 120 may compriseboth traffic and control signals e.g. paging signals/messages forincoming calls, which may be used to establish and maintain a voice callcommunication with another party or to transmit and/or receive data,such as SMS, e-mail or MMS messages, with a remote user equipment, orother node comprised in the wireless communication system 100.

The actions 301-304 to be performed in the network node 110 may beimplemented through one or more processing circuits 420 in the networknode 110, together with computer program code for performing thefunctions of the present actions 301-304. Thus a computer programproduct, comprising instructions for performing the actions 301-304 inthe network node 110 may schedule wireless transmissions between thenetwork node 110 and a mobile station 120, when being loaded into theone or more processing circuits 420.

The computer program product mentioned above may be provided forinstance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program codefor performing at least some of the actions 301-304 according to someembodiments when being loaded into the processing circuit 420. The datacarrier may be e.g. a hard disk, a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, anoptical storage device, a magnetic storage device or any otherappropriate medium such as a disk or tape that may hold machine readabledata. The computer program product may furthermore be provided ascomputer program code on a server and downloaded to the network node 110remotely, e.g. over an Internet or an intranet connection.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an embodiment of thepresent method in a mobile station 120, regarded in perspective of themobile station 120. The mobile station 120 may be represented by a userequipment or the like. The method aims at selecting scheduling order fortimeslots in uplink transmission of data to a network node 110. Thenetwork node 110 and the mobile station 120 are comprised in a wirelesscommunication system 100, wherein the network node 110 may act asserving base station for the mobile station 120.

The method comprises a number of actions 501-503, in order to correctlyselect timeslots for uplink transmission. The actions may be performedin a somewhat different chronological order than the enumerationindicates, according to different embodiments. Any, some or all actions,such as e.g. 501 and 502 may be performed simultaneously or in asomewhat rearranged chronological order. The method may comprise thefollowing actions:

Action 501

An uplink assignment is received from the network node 110.

The received uplink assignment may comprise a permission to transmituplink data on a certain resource such as e.g. on uplink PDCH, accordingto some embodiments, in certain assigned timeslots. Thus the uplinkassignment comprises information, informing the mobile station 120,which timeslots that are assigned for uplink transmission, i.e. whichtimeslots the mobile station 120 is allowed to use for transmission ofdata to the network node 110.

Each assigned uplink timeslot may be associated with a priority value.The order of the uplink timeslots, i.e. the priority value associatedwith each assigned timeslot may be implicit, as the order in which themobile station 120 utilizes the assigned uplink timeslot may be selectedby the mobile station 120, i.e. hard coded in a look-up table orsimilar, such as exemplified e.g. in Table 1.

Action 502

The order, in which timeslots are to be scheduled for uplinktransmission is selected, based on an algorithm using the lowestnumbered downlink timeslot the mobile station 120 needs to monitor, andthe switching time from transmission to reception of the mobile station120 as parameters.

The switching time from transmission to reception of the mobile station120 may comprise the time it takes for the mobile station 120 to getready to receive.

However, the switching time from transmission to reception of the mobilestation 120 may according to some alternative embodiments comprise theswitching time from transmission to reception added to the switchingtime from reception to transmission of the mobile station 120, or any ofthe switching time from transmission to reception or the switching timefrom reception to transmission of the mobile station 120 according tosome embodiments.

The priority order may be in descending timeslot number order down totimeslot 0, starting from the timeslot number computed by the followingalgorithm, according to some embodiments:

The lowest downlink timeslot number the mobile station 120 needs tomonitor plus 4 minus the number of timeslots it takes to switch fromtransmission to reception, maximum 7 timeslots.

Further, the priority order may be in ascending timeslot number order upto timeslot 7, starting from the timeslot number computed by thefollowing algorithm, according to some embodiments:

The lowest downlink timeslot number the mobile station 120 needs tomonitor plus 5 minus the number of timeslots it takes to switch fromtransmission to reception, maximum 7 timeslots.

The uplink timeslots according to some embodiments may be selected froma look-up table, such as exemplified e.g. in Table 1, which table inturn may have been constructed based on any, or both, of the abovedisclosed algorithms. The look-up table may be stored in a memory devicesuch as a memory, database or any other convenient means for storingdata, and which is comprised within, or accessible for the mobilestation 120.

Action 503

Uplink data is transmitted in the selected timeslot order, until thereare either no more assigned timeslots available, or no more data totransmit, such that the assigned timeslots that are redundant are notused for uplink transmission. The uplink data is to be received by thenetwork node 110.

The uplink transmission may thereby be performed in priority order ofthe timeslots according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile station 120. The mobilestation 120 may be represented by e.g. a user equipment or the like. Themobile station 120 is configured to perform any some or all of theactions 501-503 for selecting scheduling order for timeslots in uplinktransmission of data to a network node 110.

For the sake of clarity, any internal electronics or other components ofthe mobile station 120, not completely indispensable for understandingthe present method has been omitted from FIG. 6.

In order to perform the actions 501-503 correctly, the mobile station120 comprises a receiver 610, configured to receive an uplink assignmentfrom the network node 110.

Further, the mobile station 120 comprises a processing circuit 620. Theprocessing circuit 620 may be configured for selecting the order inwhich timeslots are to be scheduled for uplink transmission, based on analgorithm using the lowest numbered downlink timeslot the mobile station120 needs to monitor, and the switching time from transmission toreception of the mobile station 120 as parameters. The switching timefrom transmission to reception of the mobile station 120 may be seen asthe time it takes for the mobile station 120 to get ready to receivesignals comprising data.

The processing circuit 620 may comprise e.g. one or more instances of aCentral Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processor, amicroprocessor, or other processing logic that may interpret and executeinstructions. The processing circuit 620 may further perform dataprocessing functions for inputting, outputting, and processing of datacomprising data buffering and device control functions, such as callprocessing control, user interface control, or the like.

Further, the mobile station 120 comprises a transmitter 630. Thetransmitter 630 is configured for transmitting uplink data in theassigned uplink timeslots, until there are either no more assignedtimeslots available, or no more data to transmit, such that the assignedtimeslots that are redundant are not used for uplink transmission. Theuplink data is to be received by the network node 110.

In addition, the mobile station 120 may according to some embodimentscomprise a memory 625 for storing data, configured to store the order inwhich timeslots are to be scheduled for uplink transmission in a look-uptable, such as exemplified e.g. in Table 1.

Further, it is to be noted that some of the described units 610-630comprised within the mobile station 120 in the wireless communicationsystem 100 are to be regarded as separate logical entities but not withnecessity separate physical entities. To mention just one example, thereceiver 610 and the transmitter 630 may be comprised or co-arrangedwithin the same physical unit, a transceiver, which may comprise atransmitter circuit and a receiver circuit, which transmits outgoingradio frequency signals and receives incoming radio frequency signals,respectively, via an antenna. The radio frequency signals transmittedbetween the network node 110, and the mobile station 120 may compriseboth traffic and control signals e.g. paging signals/messages forincoming calls, which may be used to establish and maintain a voice callcommunication with another party or to transmit and/or receive data,such as SMS, e-mail or MMS messages, with a remote user equipment, orother node comprised in the wireless communication system 100.

The actions 501-503 to be performed in the mobile station 120 may beimplemented through one or more processing circuits 620 in the mobilestation 120, together with computer program code for performing thefunctions of the present actions 501-503. Thus a computer programproduct, comprising instructions for performing the actions 501-503 inthe mobile station 120 may select timeslots for uplink transmission to anetwork node 110, when being loaded into the one or more processingcircuits 620.

The computer program product mentioned above may be provided forinstance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program codefor performing at least some of the actions 501-503 according to someembodiments when being loaded into the processing circuit 620. The datacarrier may be e.g. a hard disk, a CD ROM disc, a memory stick, anoptical storage device, a magnetic storage device or any otherappropriate medium such as a disk or tape that may hold machine readabledata. The computer program product may furthermore be provided ascomputer program code on a server and downloaded to the mobile station120 remotely, e.g. over an Internet or an intranet connection.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the performance difference between differentTBF configurations, for a multi-slot class 26 in EFTA mode, i.e. 8downlink timeslots and 4 uplink timeslots. The difference is shown asperformance for the end-user, but may be related to resource efficiencywhich in turn may be important in order to determine how high capacitythe wireless communication system 100 has. As illustrated, the firstconfiguration, comprising timeslots 0, 1, 2 and 3 in the uplink givesthe best performance.

The terminology used in the disclosure of the exemplary embodimentsillustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limitingof the present methods and nodes.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended tocomprise the plural forms as well, unless expressly stated otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprises,”“including” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification,specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations,elements, components, and/or groups thereof. It will be understood thatwhen an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” toanother element, it may be directly connected or coupled to the otherelement or intervening elements may be present. Furthermore, “connected”or “coupled” as used herein may comprise wirelessly connected orcoupled. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and allcombinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

1. A method in a network node for scheduling wireless transmissionsbetween the network node and a mobile station, the method comprising:obtaining a multi-slot class of the mobile station, determining adownlink Temporary Block Flow configuration, and assigning uplinktimeslots to the mobile station and associating each assigned uplinktimeslot with a priority value, based on the downlink Temporary BlockFlow configuration and the multi-slot class of the mobile station. 2.The method according to claim 1, wherein said assigning comprisesassigning consecutive uplink timeslots to the mobile station.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising assigning as manydownlink timeslots to the mobile station as possible, based on theobtained multi-slot class of the mobile station.
 4. The method accordingto claim 3, wherein said assigning as many downlink timeslots to themobile station as possible comprises assigning as many consecutivedownlink timeslots to the mobile station as possible.
 5. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said assigning and associating comprisesselecting as many uplink timeslots as possible, based on the obtainedmulti-slot class of the mobile station, in a priority order, byselecting uplink timeslots in descending timeslot number order down totimeslot number zero, said selection starting from the lowest timeslotnumber assigned to downlink transmission, plus four timeslots, minus thenumber of timeslots it takes to switch from transmission to reception,but in no cases starting from a timeslot number greater than seven. 6.The method according to claim 1, wherein said assigning and associatingcomprises selecting as many uplink timeslots as possible, based on theobtained multi-slot class of the mobile station, in a priority order, byselecting uplink timeslots in ascending timeslot number order up totimeslot number seven, said selection starting from the lowest timeslotnumber assigned to downlink transmission, plus five timeslots, minus thenumber of timeslots it takes to switch from transmission to reception,but in no cases starting from a timeslot number greater than seven. 7.The method according to claim 1, wherein said assigning comprisesselecting as many uplink timeslots as possible from a table.
 8. Anetwork node configured to schedule wireless transmissions between thenetwork node and a mobile station, the network node comprising aprocessing circuit configured to: determine a downlink Temporary BlockFlow configuration; obtain a multi-slot class of the mobile station; andassign uplink timeslots to the mobile station and associate eachassigned uplink timeslot with a priority value, based on the downlinkTemporary Block Flow configuration and the multi-slot class of themobile station.
 9. The network node according to claim 8, wherein theprocessing circuit is configured to assign consecutive uplink timeslotsto the mobile station.
 10. The network node according to claim 8,wherein the processing circuit is further configured to assign as manydownlink timeslots to the mobile station as possible, based on theobtained multi-slot class of the mobile station.
 11. The network nodeaccording to claim 8, wherein the processing circuit is configured toselect as many uplink timeslots as possible, based on the obtainedmulti-slot class of the mobile station, in a priority order, byselecting uplink timeslots in descending timeslot number order down totimeslot number zero, said selection starting from the lowest timeslotnumber assigned to downlink transmission, plus four timeslots, minus thenumber of timeslots it takes to switch from transmission to reception,but in no cases starting from a timeslot number greater than seven. 12.The network node according to claim 8, wherein the processing circuit isconfigured to select as many uplink timeslots as possible, based on theobtained multi-slot class of the mobile station, in a priority order, byselecting uplink timeslots in ascending timeslot number order up totimeslot number seven, said selection starting from the lowest timeslotnumber assigned to downlink transmission, plus five timeslots, minus thenumber of timeslots it takes to switch from transmission to reception,but in no cases starting from a timeslot number greater than seven. 13.A method in a mobile station for selecting a timeslot scheduling orderfor uplink transmission of data to a network node, the methodcomprising: receiving an uplink assignment from the network node,selecting the order in which timeslots assigned to the mobile station bysaid uplink assignment are to be scheduled for uplink transmission,based on a lowest numbered downlink timeslot that the mobile stationneeds to monitor, and a switching time from transmission to reception ofthe mobile station, and transmitting data in said assigned timeslots inthe selected timeslot order, until there are either no more assignedtimeslots available or no more data to transmit.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein said selecting comprises selecting theorder from a look-up table that includes a plurality of differentcandidate orders for different combinations of said lowest numbereddownlink timeslot and said switching time.
 15. The method according toclaim 13, wherein said selected timeslot order orders at least sometimeslots in descending timeslot number order down to timeslot numberzero, starting from said lowest downlink timeslot number, plustimeslots, minus the number of timeslots associated with said switchingtime, but in no cases starting from a timeslot number greater thanseven.
 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein said selectedtimeslot order orders at least some timeslots in ascending timeslotnumber order up to timeslot number seven, starting from said lowestdownlink timeslot number, plus five timeslots, minus the number oftimeslots associated with said switching time, but in no cases startingfrom a timeslot number greater than seven
 17. A mobile stationconfigured to select a timeslot scheduling order for uplink transmissionof data to a network node, the mobile station comprising: a receiverconfigured to receive an uplink assignment from the network node, aprocessing circuit configured to select the order in which timeslotsassigned to the mobile station by said uplink assignment are to bescheduled for uplink transmission, based on a lowest numbered downlinktimeslot that the mobile station needs to monitor, and a switching timefrom transmission to reception of the mobile station, and a transmitterconfigured to transmit data in said assigned timeslots in the selectedtimeslot order, until there are either no more assigned timeslotsavailable or no more data to transmit.
 18. The mobile station accordingto claim 17, further comprising a memory configured to store a look-uptable that includes a plurality of different candidate orders fordifferent combinations of said lowest numbered downlink timeslot andsaid switching time, and wherein the processing circuit is configured toselect said order from said look-up table.
 19. The mobile stationaccording to claim 17, wherein said selected timeslot order orders atleast some timeslots in descending timeslot number order down totimeslot number zero, starting from said lowest downlink timeslotnumber, plus timeslots, minus the number of timeslots associated withsaid switching time, but in no cases starting from a timeslot numbergreater than seven.
 20. The mobile station according to claim 17,wherein said selected timeslot order orders at least some timeslots inascending timeslot number order up to timeslot number seven, startingfrom said lowest downlink timeslot number, plus five timeslots, minusthe number of timeslots associated with said switching time, but in nocases starting from a timeslot number greater than seven